Amber, 25, said: "Everyone's pretty OK with it - we've had an amazing two seasons and we're about to do season three. I think they're fine with it. I don't think it's the end of the world for them. I don't want to be a 30-year-old high school student."

The actress, who plays Mercedes Jones, added that the cast members shouldn’t have been shocked to find out about their sacking via the internet. "It’s something that's not that surprising to us," she insisted. "People think it's such a scandal when, really, it's not. I think it's smart to have new students come in.”

As for her character, Amber admitted she hadn’t yet been told if she will be back for a fourth year. "I may not be coming back,” she said. "Who knows? Whatever happens this third season is what happens, and I think everybody's OK with it. I love my job to pieces, but when it's time to go, it's time to go and, hopefully, there are greater things on the horizon."

"It's definitely not my choice, but I absolutely respect it and understand why it has to happen,” Chris said. “Ryan [Murphy] has said, and I love this, that there's nothing sadder than a high school student with a bald spot - it's true! This is what happens in real life. Kids grow up and they move on."